Holliday takes more steps in right direction for Texans

Trindon Holliday’s face brightened when he was asked to describe the punt return he took for a touchdown early in the third quarter of Thursday’s 28-24 preseason finale win for the Texans over the Vikings at Reliant Stadium.

“He had a nice punt, and Coach told me that it was going to be — that they were going to lock everybody up and it was going to be one guy for me to beat,” Holliday said. “I seen the seam, I hit it, and I was gone.”

What is that like, when he knows he’s gone, when he knows nobody is going to catch him?

His eyes brightened again, and a smile crossed his face.

“It feels good just to be out be running and see those guys,” Holliday said. “No one’s going to be able to catch me.”

It’s a feeling to which Holliday might have grown accustomed. In four preseason games, he scored three touchdowns — two on punt returns and one on a kickoff return. He hiccupped last week against the Saints, fumbling the ball twice, but even in that game Holliday had a 62-yard return that showed his ability.

“For a little guy, he’s violent downhill,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. “When he runs the ball, he’s fearless. It’s been so impressive. I told him in front of the team last night it was a big night for him. He had to continue to do it; he had to protect the ball. Then he steps up there and does it again.”

Holliday went into Thursday night’s game needing to be mistake-free. In order to make the Texans’ 53-man roster, he needed to not just be a good returner but show he could be a great one.

In his previous attempts at making the team, Holliday had shown a penchant for fumbling the football and injuries. That meant one season on injured reserve and another one on the practice squad.

But this preseason, something clicked for Holliday. Coaches were initially tentative to offer praise. Special teams coordinator Joe Marciano even chuckled once as he said if Holliday scored a touchdown in every preseason game, he’d make the team. Marciano said Holliday could be as good as Bears returner Devin Hester or Browns returner Josh Cribbs.

“I think maybe Patrick Peterson or someone like that,” Vikings punter Chris Kluwe said. “Devin Hester is one of a kind. I don’t think there will ever be another like him. But (Holliday is) definitely someone you will have to game-plan against.”

Holliday’s touchdown came on his first return of the third quarter. Afterward, he wanted to stay in the game, but the Texans didn’t need to see more.
“Coach Joe told me that was good enough,” Holliday said.